Colonic aberrant crypts in azoxymethane-treated F344 rats have decreased hexosaminidase activity.
Aberrant crypts, identified with methylene blue staining of unsectioned colon from carcinogen-treated rats on the basis of their increased size, were examined for the altered expression of hexosaminidase activity. Previously we identified enzyme-altered foci with normal morphology in sections of colon from carcinogen-treated rats. A reduction of histochemically demonstrable hexosaminidase activity was the most consistent marker for these foci. Aberrant crypts, marked with permanent ink and embedded in methacrylate, had a marked decrease of hexosaminidase activity compared to the adjacent, normal crypts. Hexosaminidase may be a marker that will aid in the identification of the molecular basis of colon cancer in a manner similar to that of esterase D and retinoblastoma.
Pretlow
T P
TP
Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.
O'Riordan
M A
MA
Kolman
M F
MF
Jurcisek
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001397:Azoxymethane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D001391:Azo Compounds; D006596:Hexosaminidases; D001397:Azoxymethane